Accounting machine



April 1939- J. 'r. DAVIDSON ACCOUNTING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 2. 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 John T. Davidson Inventor M His Attorney Original Filed Aug. 2. 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hi; attorney April 18, 1939. J. T. DAVIDSON ACCOUNTING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 2, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 I John T. Davidson His dmmm;

April 18, 1939. J. T. DAVIDSON ACCOUNTING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 2, 193? 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 lhwen tor John T. Davidson HI; Gltorneg April 18, 1939. J. T. DAVIDSON ACCOUNTING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 2. 1937 'T Sheets-Sheet 5 3 rmentor John 1'. Davidson HI; (Ittomeg April 18, 1939. J. 'r. DAVIDSON ACCOUNTING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 2, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 lnuentor John T. Davidaon "'8 attorney April 18, 1939. J, 'r DAVIDSON Re. 21,051

AGEOUNTING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 2, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG. 1

John T. Davidlon HI! (Ittomeg Reissued Apr. 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ACCOUNTING MACHINE John T. Davidson, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The National Cash Register Compa y, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation oi Maryland 56 Claims.

This invention relates to accounting and analogous machines and is particularly directed to throat-opening devices for the front feed carriages of such machines.

In order to expedite the handling of complex business systems, most present-day accounting machines are provided with a front feed travcling carriage in which the platen may be rocked from printing position to a more accessible poflttion for the insertion of record material therearound. The throats of such front feed platens may be opened automatically or manually, and when opened permit the record material, which enerally consists of wide ledger sheets, to be inserted at the front of the platen and pushed there-around until the proper line of said ledger sheet is located in relation to the printing mechanism by means of a line-finding device, which moves to effective position when the throat is opened. Obviously, ledger sheets upon which entries have been made may be simply pulled from the open throat of the front feed platen.

In large business concerns hundreds of ledger sheets are handled during a single business per, riod and to facilitate the handling of these ledger sheets, the accounting machines are provided with automatic means for opening the throat of the front feed platen after the entries have been made upon the ledger sheet. In certain types 0 of accounting machines the moving of the traveling carriage into a certain columnar position causes the throat to open automatically. In the machine embodying the instant invention the moving of the traveling carriage to certain col- 7, umnar positions has no control over the throat opening mechanism other than the actuation of a latch which locks the releasing mechanism against operation when the carriage is out of any one of its columnar positons. The present invention is directed to automatic means under control of the machine control keys for causing the throat to open automatically, depending upon which control key is depressed. Any number of control keys may be arranged to cause the throat to open automatically. Manipulative means is provided for rendering the control of the throat opening by the control keys ineffective.

In addition to the above automatic means for opening the throat of the front feed platen, it is also desirable to be able to open the throat at will, and to this end manipulative means is provided for causing the throat to open at the will of the operator. 3 Therefore it is broadly an object of this invention to provide means for automatically open- .ing the throat of the front feed platen, said means not being dependent upon the columnar positioning of the traveling carriage, nor dependent upon said carriage in any way.

A more specific object is the provision of means rendered effective by the depression of certain control keys for causing the throat of the front feed carriage to open automatically.

Another object of this invention is to supply means whereby the control keys may be rendered inefiective to control the opening of the throat.

Still another'object of this invention is to furnish means, independent or the control keys, for causing the throat of the traveling carriage to open at will, irrespective of the columnar position of said traveling carriage.

With these and incidental objects in view the invention includes certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in appended claims and a preferred form or embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the front feed traveling carriage of the machine 01' the present invention.

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of one set of pressure rollers for holding record material in contact with the platen roll.

Fig. 2 is an elevation, as observed from the right of the machine, illustrating the mechanism that controls the opening of the throat of the front feed carriage.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the mechanism that controls the opening of the throat of the front feed carriage.

In views such as Fig. 3, showing the framework in phantom, where the dot and dash lines of the framework do not show in back of the full-line parts, it indicates that such parts are in front of the framework.

'Fig. 4 is a detail view of the symbol type sector control bar and the cam arm associated therewith, which positions said bar in overdraft operatlons.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the cam and the arm associated therewith which control the engaging of the overdraft storage device with the actuators.

Fig. 6 is a, right-hand end view of the traveling carriage showing the throat closed.

' and associated mechanism that controls the linespacing of the platen roll.

Fig. 11 is a detail view of the mechanism that automatically line-spaces the platen roll.

Fig. 12 is a right side elevation of a portion of the machine illustrating the mechanism that causes the machine to operate and simultaneously renders the throat opening mechanism effective.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing in detail a part of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a detail view of the mechanism that locks the machine against operation when the throat of the front feed carriage is opened, or when certain of the record material has been exhausted.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view of the platen showing the feeler mechanism that locks the machine against operation when certain of the record material is exhausted.

Fig. 16 is a detail view of the mechanism that controls the opening of the throat of the front feed carriage.

Fig. 17 is a detail view of the overdraft key and a part of the mechanism associated therewith to control operation of the machine in overdraft operations.

Fig. 18 is a detail view of the mechanism that drives the ovedraft control shaft and cams in overdraft operations.

General description The instant invention is shown applied to the well known Ellis type of accounting machine which has a plurality of numeral keys, the de pression of which positions slidable racks or actuators for the several totalizers and the printing mechanisms.

In total and sub-total operations the totalizer wheels of the selected totalizer position the actuators commensurate with the amount of standing in said totalizer. The actuators in turn position the printing segments proportionate to the amount on said totalizer wheels.

Considering that the Ellis machine is well known in the art, that is, its basic principles of operation, it is believed unnecessary to go into a detailed description thereof at this time. Therefore, in this specification only the mechanism pertinent to the instant invention will be described in detail. However, for a detailed description of the entire machine reference may be had to the following United States Patents Nos. 1,197,276 and 1,197,278 issued September 5, 1916, to Halcolm Ellis; No. 1,203,863, issued November 7, 1916, to Halcolm Ellis; No. 1,819,084, issued August 18, 1931, to Emil John Ens, and No. 2,038,717 issued April 28, 1936, to R. A. Christian.

In the present-day business world, accounting or bookkeeping machines of the Ellis type are used by large mercantile concerns in the balancing of individual charge accounts, by banking establishments in the balancing of individual checking accounts, and by various other businesses in various ways. As a general rule it is the practice of such business concerns to balance active accounts daily.

Using a bank as one example, the system usually employed provides a ledger sheet for each depositer upon which the daily balancing of his account takes place. A record of the days work is generally kept on a journal sheet which, together with its superimposed carbon paper, is first wound around the platen roll. As the journal sheet remains in the machine during the entire days run, it is inserted at the rear of the platen and wound there-around by means of pressure rolls until its top edge passes beyond the printing line. As there are generally a large number of accounts to balance and consequently a large number of ledger sheets to be handled, it is necessary to provide means whereby the ledger sheets may be quickly inserted in the machine, located in proper relation to the printing line, and after the balancing of a particular account is completed, the ledger sheet may be quickly removed from the machine with the least amount of eflort consistent with speed and accuracy.

To accomplish this result the machine embodying the instant invention is equipped with a traveling carriage having a front-feed throat which is opened for the insertion of ledger sheets when the platen is automatically rocked or tilted upwardly away from printing position to front feeding position. Simultaneously with the opening of the throat the combined front-feed guide and line finding device is rocked into guiding position, and after the platen has completed its movement away from printing position the pressure rolls are automatically disengaged therefrom to permit the ledger sheet, which has been audited, to be removed from the machine. Thereafter another ledger sheet is inserted in the open throat and pushed around the platen roll until the proper line is located, after which the throat is closed by a hand lever conveniently located on the traveling carriage frame.

Insertion and removal of ledger sheets does not disturb the journal sheet and its superimposed carbon, as they are held in contact with the platen by auxiliary pressure rolls which are not released when the platen is rocked to open throat position.

An interlocking mechanism is provided between the platen and the machine release mechanism which prevents operation of the machine when the platen is in open-throat position. A feeler mechanism cooperating with this same interlocking mechanism locks the machine against operation when the end of the journal sllaet nears the printing line and serves as a warning to the operator that almost all the usable space of the journal sheet has been exhausted.

The machine embodying the instant invention is provided with a conventional tabulating mechanism i or controlling the positioning of the traveling carriage in relation to the several columns on the ledger sheet. The usual rtical feeding mechanism is employed to rotat the platen to line-space the record material.

The mechanism that operates the machine also operates the throat-opening mechanism. Depressing certain of the control keys causes the throat-opening mechanism to be connected to the machine operating mechanism, whereupon operation of the machine automatically opens the throat of the traveling carriage. In the present machine the control keys are located in a row at the left of the keyboard and depressing any one of these keys positions a slidable control bar, which in turn positions a printing sector to print a symbol characteristic of the type of opjournal sheet.

eration being performed. The control keys also position an arm commensurate with the postion of the symbol printing sector, after which an aligning arm, having a notch therein for each position of the symbol sector. engages the arm to lock the sector against displacement. If it is desired that a certain control key cause the throat to open, the aligning notch in the aligning lever corresponding to that particular key is made deeper than the other aligning notches, thereby permitting additional aligning movement of the lever. This additional movement of the aligning lever causes the throat-opening mechanism to be connected to the machine operating mechanism upon subsequent operation of the machine and consequently the throat of the traveling carriage opens automatically. Any number of the control keys may be arranged to cause the throat of the carriage to open in the manner set out above. The overdraft key also positions the control bar to position the symbol sector so that an overdraft symbol will be printed. Consequently this key may also be arranged to cause the throat of the carriage to open.

A manipulative lever is provided for shifting a plate, mounted upon the aligning lever to partially close the deep alining notches in said lever to render the control keys and the overdraft key ineffective to open the throat of the carriage. This manipulative lever is provided with a latch for retaining said lever in effective position when desired.

The machine embodying the present invention is also provided with an auxiliary motor bar, depression of which, in addition to setting the machine in motion, also causes the throat-opening mechanism to be connected to the machine operating mechanism, thereby causing the throat to be opened automatically.

The mechanisms outlined above, for automatically opening the throat are not dependent in any way upon the columnar or tabulated position of the traveling carriage.

When the traveling carriage reaches the terminus of its tabulating movement the carriage return mechanism is rendered effective and returns said carriage to starting position. The traveling carriage may also be returned from predetermined columnar positions to starting position or to predetermined columnar positions by means of several carriage return bars conveniently located on the right side of the machine.

Mechanism pertinent to the instant invention will now be described in detail.

Detailed description Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 8, a traveling carriage 30 is mounted to slide laterally upon ways on a machine case 3|, which encloses the mechanism of the machine and is secured to a machine base plate 34. The framework of the carriage 36 supports a platen carrying frame composed of end plates 32 and 33 connected by tie rods (not shown) and a rear table 36 for the Secured in the framework: of the carriage 39 is a rod 31 having pivoted thereon platen carrying frame arms 39 and 49, the upper ends of which are bifurcatefd to embrace support studs 4| and 42 for the table 36. Said studs are secured in the plates 32 and 33. The lower ends of the arms 39 and 46 are hook-shaped to receive a platen shaft 43 carrying a platen roll 44. Loose on either end of the platen shaft 43 are spring pushed collars 45 adapted to cooperate with studs 46 in the arms 39 and 49 to retain the platen shaft 43 in the hooked ends of said arms. Thus it is evident that the platen is removably and pivotally mounted within the traveling carriage framework by the arms 39 and 40 and the collars 45.

Secured in opposite ends of the framework of the carriage 3! (Figs. 3 and 6) are studs 41 and 43 upon which are pivoted arms 49 and 59, respectively, the lower ends of which are connected by a rod 5|. The upper ends of the arms 49 and 50 are bifurcated to receive studs 52, only one here shown, secured in arms 54 and 55, respectively, fast on a shaft 56 journaled in the end plates 32 and 33 of the platen frame. Also secured on the shaft 56 (Figs. 6 and 8) are arms 51 and 53, the lower end of each having a cam slot 59 arranged to cooperate with rollers 6| and 62 carried by arms 63 and 64 secured on a shaft 65 journaled in the end plates 32 and 33.

Secured on the shaft 65 is a plurality of arms 89 (Figs. 1A, 6, 8 and 9), supporting a rod 19, which cooperates with extensions H on a series of tension arms 12 loosely mounted on the shaft 65. The arms 12 are arranged along the shaft 65 in pairs connected by studs 13 upon which are pivoted arms 14 connected by studs 15, having rotatably mounted thereon pressure rollers 15. Each pressure roller assembly has a shield 11 carried by the studs 13, which facilitates the insertion of paper around the platen 44 and assists in retaining the pressure roller assembly intact. Therefore it will be observed that each pair of arms I2 carries a pressure roller assembly consisting of a shield 11 and two pressure rollers 15 supported by the arms 14 upon the stud 13. As previously explained, the pressure roller assemblies pivot on the studs I3, thereby allowing the rollers of each assembly to adjust themselves so that they properly engage the platen 44. This pivoting movement is limited by tenons on the stud I5 cooperating with enlarged holes 18 in the arms 12.

Encirciing the shaft 65 is a series of torsion springs I9 (Fig. 1A) which in cooperation with the arms 12 and adjusting collars 86, secured on the shaft 65 by set screws 8|, urge the pressure rollers 16 into contact with the platen roll 44. The collars 80 permit the proper degree of tension to be applied to the torsion springs 19.

Directing attention to Figs. 6 and 7, the arm 57 has a roller 82 adapted to cooperate with a camming surface 63 on a lever 94 carrying a trunnion 85 journaled in a bushing (not shown) carried by the plate 32. The lever 94 has on its lower edge a projecting surface 86 arranged to cooperate with a stud 31 carried by a locking arm 39 loosely mounted on the shaft 56. The rearward end of the arm 86 has a radial surface 89 concentric with the shaft 31 and terminating in a notch 90. The radial surface 89 and notch 99 are adapted to cooperate with a roller 9| rotatably mounted on a bracket 92 secured to the traveling carriage frame 36.. The bracket 92 has an extension 93 in the path of the stud 4|, to stop the platen carrying frame at the terminus of its movement away from printing position.

The platen carrying frame is rocked away from printing position by the arms 49 and 50, which are rocked clockwise as viewed in Figs. 3 and 6 by mechanism to be described later. As the arms 49 and 56 are rocked, their bifurcated ends cooperating with the studs 52 and 53 in the arms 54 and tend to rock the shaft 56 and the arms 51 and 58 clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. '7,

but such movement is very slight, as it is interrupted by contact of the radial surface 99 of the locking arm 08 with the roller 9|, which contact is caused by the roller 02 engaging the arm 94 and by means of the stud Ill urging the arm 88 clockwise, as here viewed, into contact with said roller 9|.

It is therefore evident that, as clockwise movement of the arm 90 is blocked, the platen carrying frame will be rocked clockwise on its pivot rod 31, from the position shown in Figs. 6 and 8 to that shown in Figs '7 and 9, until the notch 90 is in alinement with the roller M, at which time the arms 51 and 59 are free to move relatively to the platen carrying frame. Consequently, continued movement of the levers 49 and 50 causes the roller 02, in cooperation with the cam surface 83, to rock the arm 94 counter-clockwise and the arm clockwise to engage the notch 90 with the roller 9I, to effectively lock the platen carry ing frame in open-throat position as shown in Figs. 7 and 9.

When the shaft 55 rocks independently of the platen carrying frame to lock said platen carrying frame in open-throat position, the slot 59 (Figs. 1A and 8) in the arms 51 and 58 cooperating with the rollers BI and 82 rock the shaft 65 counterclockwise causing the rod I0 to rock the arms I2 counter-clockwise to disengage the pressure rollers from the platen roll 44.

A stud 94 (Figs. 1 and 6) in the arm 54 engages a slot 95 in a link 90 pivoted to an upward extension of a lever 91 fulcrumed on a stud 99 in a bracket 99 secured to the frame 30 for the traveling carriage. As the platen is rocked to front feeding position, the stud 94 in cooperation with the end of the slot 95 rocks the lever 91 clockwise as viewed in Fig. 6. After the audited ledger sheet has been removed from the openthroat and a new ledger sheet inserted therein, the platen may be returned to printing position by pushing downwardly on a flngerpiece I00 of the lever 91. This rocks the rollers 02 out of engagement with the surfaces 83 on the arms 04 to permit the latch 88 to be spring-returned counter-clockwise to disengage the notch 90 therein from the stud 9|. Return movement of the shaft 50 also returns the pressure rollers I6 to effective position to press the ledger sheet against the platen roll to prevent displacement of said ledger sheet while the platen is returning to printing position. After the latch 08 has been moved to ineffective position continued pressure on the iingerpiece I00 starts the platen carrying frame on its return journey to printing position. This overoalances the platen carrying frame. thus causing the momentum thereof, coupled with gravity, to return said platen carrying frame to printing position, as shown in Figs. 6 and 8.

Automatic throat opening mechanism The present invention provides means for automatically rocking the platen from its normal or printing position to front feeding or openthroat position during the operating cycle of the machine. Such means is operated from the machine driving mechanism and may be controlled by one or more of the machine control keys, by the overdraft key, or by a special motor bar, which causes the machine to operate for the purpose of opening the throat of the front-feed platen.

The mechanism of the machine is supported by main frames I05 and I00 (Figs. 2, 3 and 12) cured to the machine base 94, said frames being maintained in rigid relation to each other by means of a cross-frame I08 and various other cross-frames, bars and rod (not shown). Journaled in the frames I05 and I06 is a main drive shaft I09 having secured on the right-hand end thereof an arm IIO connected by a link III to the driven member II2 (Fig. 12) of a clutch device, said driven member adapted to engage a driving member H3 geared to a conventional type of continuously running electric motor I01 supported by a housing II4 secured to the machine base I01.

For a detailed description of the driving motor and clutch mechanism reference may be had to Patent No. 1,601,102, issued September 28, 1926, to F. W. Bernau.

The arm IIII (Fig. 2) carries a stud II5, which is engaged by-a notch in the lower end of a link H6, the upper end of which is pivoted to an arm I" yieldingly connected to an arm IIO secured on the right-hand end of a printer shaft II9 Journaled in the frame I05 and the printer framework (not shown). Secured on the shaft H9 is an arm I carrying a stud I2I adapted to cooperate with a notch I22 in the lower end of a bar I29, the upper end of which is pivoted to a crank I24 secured on a shaft I25, opposite ends of which are iournaled in the frames I05 and I08 (Fig. 3). Also secured on the shaft I25 is a finger I21 which cooperates with the rod 5I to move the platen to front feeding position, as will be described later.

Adding, subtracting, total and sub-total operations are one-cycle operations and consist of one complete oscillation of the arm I I0 and shaft I09 through an approximate angle of 60 degrees. One-cycle operations are initiated by the depression of a motor bar I20 (Fig. 2) which causes an extension thereof, which fits in a slot in the keyboard plate, to rock a plate I29 counter-clockwise on its pivot I30 against the action of a spring I4I. A stud I3I in the plate I29 is embraced by an upward extension of a multi-armed lever I92 pivoted on a stud I33 in the frame I05, whereby counter-clockwise movement of said plate rocks said lever I32 clockwise. Clockwise movement of the lever I32 disengages a stud I54 in an extension thereof from a shoulder on a bell crank I35 pivoted on a stud I36 in the frame I05. The bell crank I35 is pivotally connected to the forward end of a pitman I31, the rearward end of which is bifurcated to straddle a stud I38 in the frame I05, and said pitman carries a stud I39 embraced by the slotted upper end of a clutch control lever I40. This disengaging of the stud I34 from the bell crank I95 releases said bell crank and connected parts to the action of a spring (not shown) which immediately rocks the lever I40 counter-clockwise to engage the clutch driven member with the clutch driving member. It requires one revolution of the clutch driven member to oscillate the arm IIO (Fig. 2) through one-cycle of movement and after this movement has been completed a roller (not shown) on the clutch driven member restores the arm I40 and the bell crank I95, whereupon the spring I4I, one end of which is connected to the plate I29, returns the stud I34 into the path of the shoulder on the bell crank I35 to obstruct releasing movement thereof. In case the starting bar I28 is accidentally or inadvertently retained depressed, at the end of machine operation, the usual non-repeat device prevents repeat operations of the machine. As previouslyexplaincd, the notch in the link II5 (Fig.

2) is normally engaged with the stud H5 in the arm H and consequently the printer shaft H6 is rocked in unison with said arm IIO first clockwise and then back to normal position.

Normally a latch I42 (Figs. 2 and 16) pivoted on a stud I43 in the frame I05, in cooperation with a stud I44 in the bar I23, holds said bar against the action of a spring I45, tensioned between said bar I 23 and the arm I20, when the stud I2I moves opposite the notch I22, to prevent said notch from engaging said stud. However, various means, now to be described, are provided for rocking the latch I42 out of engagement with the stud I44 to permit the notch I22 to engage the stud I2I whereupon return movement of the shaft H9 and the arm I20 rocks the shaft I 25 and the finger I21 counter-clockwise from the positions shown in Figs. 6 and 16 to the position shown in Fig. 7, which by means of the rod (see also Fig. 3), in cooperation with the arms 49 and 50, rocks the platen carrying frame clockwise to open the throat of the front-feed carriage in the manner explained above. After the throat has been opened, an extension I46 of the link I23 engages an obstruction which prevents further movement of said link in unison with the arm I20, whereupon the stud I2I rides out of the notch I22 thereby permitting the spring I45 to return the link I23, the shaft I25 and finger I21 to normal positions, as shown in Fig. 16.

Control of throat opening by total keys One means of controlling the latch I42 for the throat-opening mechanism (Figs. 3, 4 and 16) is by means of a series of total control keys I41 located on the left-hand side of the keyboard. The total control keys I41 select and condition their respective totalizers for total operations, and when used in conjunction with a sub-total key I46 select and condition their respective totalizers for sub-total operations. The keys I41 and I46 are mounted to slide vertically in the framework of the keyboard and are retained in upward or undepressed position by means of compression springs (not shown) which position is determined by shoulders on the upper ends of the stems of said keys in cooperation with the keyboard top plate (not shown). The lower ends of the stems of the keys I41 cooperate with angular camming lugs I49 on a control bar I50 mounted for horizontal sliding movement by means of slots therein in cooperation with studs I5I secured in the frame I06. A link I51 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) connects the bar I50 to a crank I56 secured on one end of a shaft I50 journaled in the frames I05 and I06. Secured on the other end of the shaft I56 is a curved arm I60 connected by a link I6I to an arm I62 (Fig. 16) fulcrumed on a stationary stud I63 and connected by a link I64 (Fig. 2) to a symbol type sector I 65 rockably mounted on an impression arm I66.

Depressing one of the total keys I41 shifts the bar I50 forwardly to rock the shaft I50 clockwise to position the printing sector I 65 in proportion to said depressed total key, to cause an identifying symbol to be printed opposite the total. After the symbol sector has thus been positioned it is locked against displacement, during machine operation, by a stud I66 (Figs. 2 and 16), in the arm I52, in cooperation with a deep notch I61 or one of several shallow notches I66, corresponding to the different total keys, in an alining lever I10 free on a stationary stud I1I. Upon operation of the machine, initial movement clockwise of the printer shaft H0 and an arm I12, integral therewith, withdraws a stud I13 in said arm from an extension of the alining lever I10, permitting a spring I14 to rock said lever clockwise to engage the corresponding notch I61 or I69 with the stud I66 to lock the symbol sector I65 in set position.

If the arm I62 is positioned so that the stud [66 is opposite the deep notch I61 the lever I10 will move sufficiently to cause a stud I15 in an extension thereof to engage a lever I16 fast on a short shaft I11 journaled in the frame I05 and rock said lever counter-clockwise. Counterclockwise movement of the lever I16 causes a stud I16, in a rearward extension thereof, in cooperation with a U -shaped slot in an extension of the latch I42, to rock said latch clockwise out of engagement with the stud I44, whereupon the spring I45 moves the notch I22 in the bar I23 into the path of the stud I2I. Return movement counter-clockwise of the printer shaft IIS and the arm I20 causes the stud I2I to engage the notch I22 to rock the shaft I and the finger 'I21 counter-clockwise to open the throat of the carriage in the manner explained above.

Return movement counter-clockwise of the shaft H9 and the arm I12 causes the stud I13 to move the aliner I10 counter-clockwise to ineffective position to move the stud I15 out of engagement with the lever I16. At about the same time, the stud I2I rides out of the notch I22, releasing the bar I23 to the action of the spring I45, which immediately returns said bar and connected parts, including the finger I21, to

normal position, as shown in Fig. 16, whereupon the latch I42 is returned by gravity into engagement with the stud I44. There is a notch in the aliner I10 for each of the total keys I 41 '(Fig. 3) and obviously any or all of these notches may be cut deep to render the automatic throat-opening mechanism effective. However, as presently arranged the notch I61 for the No. l or balance key is cut deep, and consequently renders the automatic throat-opening mechanism effective.

Overdraft key control of throat-opening The machine embodying the present invention' is equipped with an automatic overdraft mechanism that transposes the complementary amount of an overdraft into a true negative amount and prints either a total or a sub-total of this true negative amount upon the record material. In a sub-overdraft operation the complementary amount of the overdraft is reentered in the balance totalizer in preparation for further computations in connection therewith.

Overdraft operations are initiated by the depression of an overdraft key I10 (Figs. 2 and 17) which also conditions the machine for said overdraft operatlons. In the present machine an overdraft operation consists of four cycles of operation of the machine, and the cycling of the machine and all the functions thereof are controlled by an overdraft cam assembly which makes one revolution during the four cycles of an overdraft operation. In the first cycle of an overdraft operation the complementary amount of the overdraft is cleared from the balance totalizer and entered in a storage device. In the second cycle the complement is subtracted from the cleared balance totalizer thereby leaving the true negative amount in said balance totalizer. During the third cycle of an overdraft operation the balance totalizer is again cleared and the true negative amount of the overdraft is entered in the previously cleared storage device and in the fourth cycle the storage device is again cleared and the true negative amount of the overdraft is printed upon the record material. In sub-overdraft operations the complement is reentered in the balance totalizer during the fourth cycle.

In order to prevent undesirable and erroneous entries from being made upon the record material during the transposing cycles of an overdraft operation, the printing mechanism is rendered inoperative during the first three cycles of said overdraft operation and is rendered effective during the last cycle to print the true negative balance. During the printing cycle of an overdraft operation the slide I50 (Fig. 3) is shifted for wardly in a manner presently to be described, to position the symbol printing sector I55 (Fig. 2) to print a symbol characteristic of said overdraft operation upon the record material. As there is an alining notch in the aliner I10 (Fig. 16) corresponding to the position of the symbol sector in overdraft operations, it is possible to control the opening of the throat in overdraft operations in exactly the same manner as explained for the total keys I41 (Fig. 3).

The portion of the overdraft mechanism essential to a proper disclosure of the present invention will now be described in detail.

Depressing the overdraft key I19 (Fig. 2) rocks a latch I86 out of engagement with a bent-over ear on a lever I80 pivoted on the stud I35, releasing said lever to the action of a strong spring, which immediately rocks said lever clockwise. The lever I80 is connected by a link I8l to the plate I29. Consequently clockwise movement of said lever carries the plate I29 counter-clockwise in unison therewith to disengage the stud I34 from the shoulder of the arm I35 to set the machine in motion in the manner explained previously. Clockwise movement of the lever I80 also withdraws a surface I82 thereof from a stud I83 in a hook I84, whereupon a spring I85 engages said hook with the stud I34 to prevent said stud from engaging the shoulder of the arm I35 when said arm is restored at the end of each cycle of operation, thereby causing the machine to cycle automatically. In the last cycle of an overdraft operation the lever I80 is restored counterclockwise into engagement with the latch I85, which movement moves the hook I84 out of engagement with the stud I34 to permit said stud to engage the shoulder of the arm I35 to terminate cycling of the machine.

Depressing the overdraft key I19 (Figs. 17 and 18) causes a stud I81 therein, in cooperation with a slot in a pitman I89, pivoted to a crank I89 secured to the main shaft I09, to engage a notch I90 in said pitman with a stud I9I in a slide I92 mounted for horizontal reciprocation by means of slots therein in cooperation with the shaft I09 and the stud I33. It is therefore apparent that the slide I92 is reciprocated, by the lever I10, first to the left, as here viewed, and then back to normal position. The slide I92 carries pawls I93 and I94 urged by a spring I95 into engagement with the teeth of their respective ratchets I95 and I91, said ratchets being an inte ral part of the overdraft cam assembly which is rotatably mounted upon the stud I33. The push-pull action of the pawls I93 and I94, in cooperation with their respective ratchets, drives the overdraft cam assembly one-fourth of a revolution for each cycle of an overdraft operation. Consequently during the four cycles of an overdraft operation ,the overdraft cam assembly is driven one complete revolution, during which it controls the action of the machine to properly effect an overdraft operation. A spring-pulled retaining pawl I98 (Fig. 18) in cooperation with the teeth of the ratchet I98 prevents retrograde movement of the overdraft cam assembly. For a more complete disclosure of the above mechanism reference may be had to U. S. Patent No. 2,079,355 issued May 4, 1937, to Chas. L. Lee.

Clockwise movement of the lever I80 (Fig. 2) when the overdraft key I19 is depressed, by means of a link I99, which connects said lever to the printer operating link II5, shifts said link II5 out of engagement with the stud H5 in the arm H0 and shifts a notch 205 therein into engagement with a stationary stud 205. This disengages the drive of the printer shaft II9 from the arm H0, and consequently all the mechanism operated by said printer shaft, including the automatic throat-opening mechanism, remains inoperative at this time. During the third cycle of an overdraft operation the lever I80 is returned counter-clockwise, as explained hereinbefore and is reengaged by the latch I88, which movement of said lever I80 reengages the link II5 with the stud I I5, so that the printer mechanism will function during the final or fourth cycle of an overdraft operation to print the true negative amount of said overdraft.

Sub-overdraft operations are initiated by a sub-overdraft key 204 (Figs. 2, 3 and 17) depression of which causes the machine to function in exactly the same manner as explained in connection with the overdraft key I19, the only dif ference being that during the final cycle of a sub-overdraft operation the complementary amount of the overdraft is reentered in the balance totalizer so that further computations may be carried on in connection with this particular balance.

Integral with the ratchets I95 and I91 (Figs. 5 and 18) and moving in unison therewith, is a cam 201 which controls the engagement of a storage device with the amount actuators during overdraft operations. The periphery of the cam 201 cooperates with a roller 208 on an arm 209 secured on a shaft 2I0 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) journaled in the frames I05 and I05. Also secured on the shaft 2I0 is a cam arm 2| I having a camming surface 2I2 which cooperates with a stud 2I3 in the control bar I50. Similar high portions 2I4 and 2I5 of the cam 201 rock the shaft 2I0 and the arm 2 counter-clockwise against the action of a spring 2I8 during an overdraft or a. sub-overdraft operation. Counter-clockwise movement of the arm 2 causes the camming surface 2I2 to shift the bar I50 forwardly to position the symbol sector I55 (Fig. 2) to print a symbol characteristic of an overdraft or a suboverdraft operation. Inasmuch as the high sur face 2I4 of the cam 201 positions the bar I50 and the symbol sector I55 during the first and second cycles of an overdraft operation, at which time the printer mechanism is disabled, this positioning is of no effect. However, the surface 2 I 5 positions the bar I50 and the sector I55 during the third and fourth cycles of an overdraft operation which positioning moves the stud I58 in the arm I52 (Fig. 2) opposite a notch 2I1 (Fig. 16) in the aliner I10.

Initial movement clockwise of the shaft I I9 and the arm I12 permits the aliner I18 to move clockwise to engage the notch 2I1 with the stud I88, under influence of the spring I14. As the notch 2" is a deep notch, it permits the stud I15, in

the aliner I10, to rock the levr I16 counterclockwise to move the latch I42 out of engagement with the stud I44 to permit the spring I45 to move the notch I22, in the link I23, into engagement with the stud I2I, whereupon return movement counter-clockwise of the shaft I19 and the arm I20 rock; the shaft I26 and the finger I21 counter-clockwise to open the throat of the front-feed carriage in the manner explained earlier herein.

It is to be understood that the arm I62 and the sector I are moved to the same position in both overdraft and sub-overdraft operations. Obviously, if it is undesirable that the overdraft and sub-overdraft keys cause the throat to open automatically the nut 2I1 may be cut shallow as are the notches I69.

Manipulative means is provided for rendering the automatic throat-opening mechanism inoperative. This means includes a plate 2! (Figs. 2 and 16) slidably mounted on the lever I10 by means of slots therein in cooperation with studs 2|! in said arm I10. The plate 2I6 has notches .203 therein corresponding to the notches I61,

I69 and 2H, and said notches 203 are retained in alinement with the notches in the lever I10 by a spring 220, tensioned between the lever I10 and the plate 2I6 to urge said plate upwardly. The plate 2! carries a stud 22I which cooperates with an arcuate surface 222 on the bottom of a lever 223 pivoted at 224 to a bracket mounted on the machine case 3 I.

Depressing the lever 223, by means of a convenient fingerpiece 225 thereon, shifts the plate 2I8 downwardly to move the projection formed by the adjacent notches 203 therein into register with the notches I61, I69 and 2I1 to render all of said notches shallow so that the aliner I16 will not receive maximum movement in any position and consequently the latch I42 will not be rendered ineffective. When the lever 223 is depressed, the fiat surface of a stud 226 carried by said lever is moved beyond the shoulder of a latch 221 pivoted on a bracket on the case 3|, whereupon a spring 226, tensioned between said latch 221 and the lever 223, immediately urges said latch counter-clockwfse to cause the shoulder thereon to move over the stud 226 to lock the lever 223 in depressed position. A fingerpiece 229 on the upper end of the latch 221 provides means for disengaging the shoulder of said latch from the stud 226 and when said latch is thus disengaged the spring 226 returns the lever 223 upwardly to ineffective position as here shown.

Machine locking mechanism Mechanism controlled by the traveling carriage is provided for locking the machine starting bar against depression when the traveling carriage is out of columnar position.

Secured on the front of the traveling carriage 30 (Fig. l) is a tabulating stop bar 230, which adjustably supports a tabulating stop 23I for each columnar position which, in addition to stopping the traveling carriage in predetermined columnar positions, have lugs 232 thereon which in cooperation with the upturned ends of hanging bar levers 233 (only two here shown) select the different totalizers for addition and select the balance or No. l totalizer for subtraction. The stop 23I also has a lug 234 adapted to cooperate with the upturned end of a hanging bar lever 235 rotatably mounted on a fixed pivot secured in one of the cross frames of the machine. The left-hand 75 end of the lever 236 (Fig. 14) is connected by a link 236 to a crank 231 fast on a shaft 238 journaled in the frames I06 and I06. Also secured on the shaft 238 is an arm 239, the upper end of which engages a stud 240 in an extension of a lock plate I, fulcrumed on a stud 242 in the frame I05.

When the traveling carriage is out of columnar position a spring 242, stretched between the plate 2 and a lock lever 243, also free on the shaft 242, urges said plate 24I counter-clockwise to maintain a locking shoulder 244 thereon in the path of a square stud 245 in the plate I29 to obstruct counter-clockwise releasing movement of said plate when the starting bar I26 is depressed. Moving the traveling carriage to any columnar position (Fig. 1) causes the lug 234 to engage the lever 235 to rock said lever clockwise, which movement by means of the link 236 (Fig. 14) rocks the crank 231, the shaft 233, and arm 233 counterclockwise, and the locking plate 2 clockwise to move the shoulder 244 out of the path of the stud 245, to free the plate I29 for releasing movement.

Other means, presently to be described, is provided for controlling the locking plate 24!.

Mechanism to lock the machine against operation when the journal sheet is exhausted Mechanism is provided for locking the machine starting bar against depression when the lower end of the Journal sheet passes a certain point. This notifies the operator that the journal sheet is about exhausted, so that a new one may be substituted therefor.

A journal sheet 246 (Figs. 1, 8 and 15), long enough to receive all the entries for a certain business period, is threaded around the platen roll 44 by means of the guide plate 36 and is retained in contact with said platen roll by auxiliary pressure rollers 241, which are independent of the pressure rollers 16 for the ledger sheets, and remain effective when the throat of the front-feed carriage is open to-hold the journal sheet against displacement at this time. The ledger sheet 246 cooperates with two feelers 243, only one here shown, fast on a shaft 249 journaled in the platen frame end plates 32 and 33 (Figs. 6 and 8).

Also secured on the shaft 246 are two arms 266 (Fig. 14) only one here shown, slotted to embrace studs 256 in similar arms 251 and 250 (Figs. 3 and 14) pivoted respectively on the plates 32 and 33. The arms 251 and 253 support a rod 250 which extends the full length of the traveling carriage and which is arranged to cooperate with a bent-over portion 266 of an arm 26I secured on one end of a sleeve 262, free on the shaft I23. Secured on the other end of the sleeve 262 is a. hook-shaped arm 263, having a slot which coopcrates with a stud 264 in one arm of a three-armed lever 266, free on the stud I43 and having a stud in one arm thereof which is embraced by the slotted end of a lever 266 fulcrumed on a stud 261 in the frame I05. When the journal sheet is in contact with the feelers 240 saidfeelers are retained in full-line position as shown in Fig. 1.5, and by means of the arms 252 position the arms 261 and 236, as shown in Fig. 14, to cause the rod 259 to positionits associated parts, as here shown, so that a forward extension of the lever 266, in cooperation with a stud'266 in an extension of the lock lever 243, retains a shoulder 263 of said lever out of the path of the stud 246 to permit depression of the starting bar I26.

When the lower end of the journal sheet 246 (Figs. 14 and 15) moves beyond the feelers 246, said feelers move counter-clockwise, under the Cir ill

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influence of a spring 219, into corresponding openings in the table 36 to the dot-and-dash position shown in Fig. 15. The arms 251 and 25d move in unison with the feelers 248 to withdraw the rod 2E9 from the bent-over portion of the arm 285 to free said arm and associated parts to the action of a spring 21l, one end of which is connected to an extension of the lever 295. The spring 2ll rocks lever 266 counter-clockwise to permit the spr' 262 to rock the shoulder 26% into the path of ti'lE stud M5, to block releasing movement of the plate $29. When a new journal sheet is inserted in the machine the feelers 223 are restored to their full-line position and in cooperation with the train of mechanism shown in Figs. 14 and 15, return the lock lever 253 to ineffective position as here shown.

Sometimes it is desirable to continue operating the machine after the end of the journal sheet passes beyond the feelers 249, and to this end manipulative means has been provided for re turning the lever 2G3 to ineffective position.

Normally a lever 212 pivoted at 213 to the plate 32 is in the position shown in full-lines in Fig. is, where a notch 214 therein is opposite a stud 215 in an extension of the lever 251, and consequently said lever 212 does not interfere with clockwise movement of said arm 251, when the end of the journal sheet 246 passes beyond the feelers 2 18 (Fig. 15). If it is desirable to continue operating the machine after the end of the journal sheet has passed beyond the feelers 248, moving the lever 212 clockwise causes a camming surface 216 thereon, in cooperation with the stud 2l5, to return the arms 251 and 258 and the rod 259 counter-clockwise to the position here shown. This return movement of the rod 259 through the train of mechanism shown in Fig. la restores the lever 263 to ineffective position.

It will be recalled, that at the time the throat of the front-feed carriage is opened the shaft 56 (Figs. 6, '7 and 14) is rocked clockwise as here shown, which by means of a stud 211 in a crank 218' secured to said shaft, in cooperation with a camming surface 219 on the lever 212, returns said lever to ineffective position, when the notch 214 is opposite the stud 215, thereby causing the lever see to again become effective when the throat of the carriage is closed to remind the operator the end of the journal sheet is approaching the printing line. A spring 299 normally retains the lever 212 in ineffective position.

The mechanism described above also operates to lock the machine against operation when the throat ofthe front feed carriage is open. Rocking the platen carrying frame to front feed position withdraws the rod 259 from the bent-over portion of the arm 26l to cause the locking lever 243 to be moved clockwise to locking position, in the manner explained above.

Obviously, the above locking mechanism is effective only when a journal sheet, in cooperation with the feelers 2&9, retains the rod 259 in the position shown in Fig. 14, and it is likewise evident that closing the throat of the front feed platen rocks the locking lever 243 to ineffective position.

Tabulating and, vertical feeding mechanisms During normal operations the traveling carriage is automatically tabulated from one column to the next, near the end of each operation. However, there are times when it is desirable to prevent tabulation of the traveling carriage and to simultaneously cause the platen roll to be rotated to line-space the ledger and the journal sheets. To this end a vertical feed starting "car 29! (Fig. 2) is provided, which when depressed. causes the machine to operate in the normal manner, with these exceptions: Automatic tabulating mechanism is rendered inefl'ective and the platen roll feeding mechanism is simultaneously rendered effective.

Directing attention to Fig. 2, an extension 282 of the lever l32 carries a stud 283 upon which is pivoted a link 294, the upper end of which is bi furcated to receive a stud 285 in the forward end of lever 235 free on stationary stud Eel. as previously explained, depressing the starting her 29 rocks the lever 332 clockwise to initiate operation of the machine, which movement of said lever by means of the link 294 permits the lever 285 to be spring-urged counter-clockwise to cause an upward extension thereof to engage a projection 298 of a tabulating control bar 289, mounted in a slotted stud 290 secured in the printer framework, and rock said bar outwardly, as here viewed, against the action of a spring 393. This rocking of the bar 289 moves a footshaped extension 382 thereof away from a stud iili in a tabulating bar 292, thereby permitting a spring-pulled tabulating hook 293, pivoted on the link IIB, to latch over said stud 23! upon upward movement of said link H9. Downward movement of the link HE causes the hook 293 in cooperation with the stud 29k to carry the tabulating bar 292 downwardly in unison therewith to cause the traveling carriage to automatically tabulate from one columnar position to the next, near the end of machine operation.

Before the link H completes its downward movement the hook 293 rides off the stud 29L permitting the bar 292 to be spring returned upwardly to the position here shown, whereupon restoration of the lever I32, counter-cloclswise, near the end of machine operation, restores the lever 286 counter-clockwise to permit the bar 239 to be returned by the spring 393, to the position here shown where the foot-shaped extension 392 thereof will protect the stud 2! from the hook 293.

The stud 293 in the extension 282 also extends through a slot in the stern of the vertical starting bar 28L and consequently depression of said starting bar rocks the lever 282 clockwise, the same as depressing the bar 429, to set the machine in motion. Also, depressing the bar 28i causes a stud 299 in the stem thereof, in cooperation with an extension of a lever 295 free on the stud I33, to rock said lever clockwise against the action of a spring 296 to move an arcuate surface 291, on said lever, beneath the stud 295 to obstruct counter-clockwise movement of the lever 286. This permits the bar 289 to remain effective, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the extension 992, thereof will protect the stud 29! from the hook 293; therefore, during up and down movement of the link N9 the hook 293 rides idly on the sole of the foot-shaped extension 392 and as no tabulating movement is imparted to the bar 292 the traveling carriage remains stationary.

The vertical feed starting bar 285 also renders the mechanism effective that line-spaces the platen. An arm 299 free on the stud 291 is yieldingly connected to the lever 296 by a spring 299, which urges a shoulder on said arm 298 into contact with a stud 905 in said lever 286. It is therefore obvious that upon depression of the motor bar I29 the lever 299 and the arm 298 move counter-clockwise in unison, causing an upward extension of said arm 293 in cooperation with a stud 306 on a bar 331, slidably mounted in the framework of the machine, to shift said bar forwardly. Forward movement of the bar 331, by means of a right angled extension 308 on the rearward end thereof in cooperation with a stud 309 in a pawl 3I3, rocks said pawl counter-clockwise. The pawl 3 III is pivoted on an arm 3 fast on a. sleeve 3I2 free on a shaft 3I3, journaled in the machine framework, and said pawl is springurged clockwise to normally maintain the stud 339 in contact with a shoulder on the arm 3I I.

Counter-clockwise movement of the pawl 3III, under influence of the bar 301, moves a notch 333 in said pawl out of the path of a stud 30l in the arm I12. Consequently the oscillating movement of said arm I12, during machine operations, imparts no movement to the sleeve 3I2, whereupon the platen line-spacing mechanism is rendered inoperative, as this sleeve controls the operation thereof.

Secured on the sleeve 3I2 (Fig. 2) is an arm 3I4 having pivoted thereto an arm 3I5 upon which is adjustably mounted a platen feed hook 3I6, a downwardly extending portion 3" of which is adapted to cooperate with the curledover lower edge of a bail 3 I3 secured to a plurality of arms 3I3 free on the shaft 31. An extension of the extreme left-hand arm 3I3 (Fig. 11) carries a stud 323, which cooperates with a curved slot in a link 321, connected to an arm 322, loose on the platen shaft 43. Mounted on the arm 322 is a feed pawl 323 urged counter-clockwise by a sp ing 324, so that the tooth of said pawl normally engages the teeth of a ratchet wheel 325 integral 'with. the. platen roll 44.

As previously explained, depressing the vertical feed starting bar 28I (Fig. 2) causes the arm 295 to obstruct counter-clockwise movement of the lever 235 and the arm 29B, and as a result the bar 331 will not be moved forwardly to rock the pawl 3") out of the path of the stud 301. Initial movement counter-clockwise of the printer shaft H9 and the arm I12, during machine operation, causes the stud 3III to by-pass the end of the pawl 3H), and return movement of said shaft and said arm I12 causes the stud 3llI to engage the notch 330 to rock the arms 3 and 3 I4 clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2, to shift the arm 3| 5 and the hook 3I6 downwardly. Downward movement of the arm 3l5 and the hook 3I5 causes the bent-over extension 3I1 in cooperation with the curled edge of the bail 3I3, to rock said ball and the arm 3| 9 clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2, and counter-clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 11. Counter-clockwise movement of the extreme lefthand arm 3I9 (Fig. 11) causes the stud 320 in cooperation with the link 32I to rock the arm 322 counter-clockwise, contrary to the action of a spring 325, whereupon the pawl 323 engages the ratchet 325 to rotate the platen roll 44 counterclockwise in unison with said arm 322 to linespace the ledger card and the journal sheet.

When the arm I12 (Fig. 2) nears the end of its return movement counter-clockwise the stud 30I rides out of the notch 303, thereby permitting a spring 321 to return the arms 3| I, 3" and 3l5 counter-clockwise to normal positions, as here shown. A spring 323 (Fig. 11) returns the bail 3IB and the arm 3I9 in unison with the arm 3I5 and the hook 3I6, and the spring 326 simultaneously returns the arm 322 and the pawl 323 to normal positions, as here shown.

The platen roll 44 is retained in position by means of the teeth of the ratchet 325 (Fig. 10)

in cooperation with a roller 323 mounted on an arm 333, free on a stationary stud 33l, and urged counter-clockwise by a spring 332 to yieldingly engage said roller 323 with the teeth of the ratchet 325.

Each tooth of the ratchet 325 (Figs. 10 and 11) represents one line-space on the platen roll 44 and full movement of the arm 322 causes the pawl 323 to advance the ratchet and the platen roll three tooth spaces to triple-space the record material. In order to control the number of linespaces that the platen 44 is rotated, means is provided for controlling the moment of engagement of the pawl 323 with the teeth of the ratchet 325. This controlling means is manually adjustable to three positions, single, double, and triple line spacing positions. 3

Free on the shaft 43, (Figs. 10 and 11) is a manipulative lever 333, having an arcuate surface 334 which cooperates with a stud 335 in the pawl 323. The lever 333 is adjustable to three positions and these positions are determined by three notches in the periphery thereof, in cooperation with the tooth 333 of a retaining pawl 331 fulcrumed on a stationary stud 338. The spring 332, which is tensioned between the arm 333 and the pawl 331, yieldingly urges the tooth 336 into engagement with the notches in the lever 333.

With the lever 333 in any of its three positions, return movement of the arm 322 causes the stud 335 to ride up an inclined surface onto the arcuate surface 334 to disengage said pawl from the teeth of the ratchet 325, so that the platen roll 44 may be revolved in either direction by hand. When the lever 333 is in. its first position, as shown in Fig. 10, the pawl 323 is allowed to engage the ratchet 325 at the earliest moment, upon feeding movement of the arm 322, and consequently picks up three teeth of said ratchet teeth to triple line-space the platen 44. Moving the lever 333 to its second position delays the moment of engagement of the pawl 323 with the ratchet 325 and consequently said pawl picks up only two teeth of the ratchet 325 to double linespace the platen roll. Moving the lever 333 counter-clockwise to its third position further delays the moment of engagement of the pawl 323 with the ratchet 325 thereby causing the platen roll to be single line-spaced.

The slot in the link 32I (Fig. 11) moves out of operative relationship with the stud 320, when the platen is moved to front feeding position, and as a result the mechanism just described is rendered ineffective to rotate the platen 44. To remedy this condition, mechanism which functions automatically when the platen is moved to front feeding position has been provided to rotate the platen roll 44 to line-space the record material wound therearound.

When the platen 44 is moved upwardly to front feeding position a roller 33!! (Fig. 11) on the arm 322, engages an arcuate surface 343 on an arm 34I of a bracket 342, secured on the frame of the carriage 30 (see also Figs. 8 and 9), and the contour of the surface 340 rocks the arm 322 counter-clockwise to rotate the platen 44 to linespace the record material .wound therearound. The curved slot in the link 32I permits said link and the arm 322 to move independently of the arm 3I9 when the platen is rocked to front feeding position.

A fourth position of the lever 333 (Fig. 10) moves the surface 334 thereon in relation to the stud 335 so that during oscillation of the arm 322 (Fig. 11) said stud 335 will not ride off of said surface 334 and as a result the pawl 323 is retained out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 325 to disable the automatic line-spacing of the platen 44.

A manipulative friction lever 355 (Fig. 2), pivoted on a bracket 35I fast to the keyboard plate, is provided for holding the lever 266 in its upward position (as here shown), to render the automatic tabulating mechanism ineffective and the line-spacing mechanism effective re ardless of which starting bar is used to initiate achine operation.

The lever terminates in a flngerpiece which protrudes through an opening in the keyboard plate. As here shown, a hook-shaped projection 352 of the lever 350 is out of the path of the stud 265 and consequently said lever has no control over the lever 236.

Moving the lever 353 counter-clockwise to effective position causes the projection 35! to engage the stud 235 to retain the lever 26 against downward or counter-clockwise moveme t.

Front feed guide chute A guide chute has been provided for the ledger sheets around the platen sorted in the open throat of the front fee This mechanism also serves as a line fin vice for properly locating the ledger heet or other material inserted in the throat, in relation to the printing line. When the plate and its rockable frame are in printing position I e guiding mechanism is retained in a position where it will not obstruct the view of the prining line. The rocking of the platen away from pri ting position to open throat position moves th guiding mechanism to a position where it will properly direct material around the platen ro and to where the line finding device is eflective to locate the record material in relation to the pri a ting line.

Referring to Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9, pivotd on the platen shaft 43, just inside the platen e d'plates 32 and 33, are arms 343 and 344 carryin 1. at their upper ends rollers 345 and 346 projectin into angular slots 341 and 343 formed in bra kets 343 and 342, secured on the traveling carri ge frame 36. The arms 343 and 344 are conneted by a guiding bar 355, which is secured to rig t-angled surfaces formed on said arms 343 and 44. Adjustably attached to each end of the b 355 are lateral guides 356 and 351, the lateral lcation of which may be changed in relation to t e platen 44 to accommodate different widths f ledger sheets. The rocking of the platen a ay from printing position (Figs. 7 and 9) and he cooperation of the rollers 345 and 346 with t e angular slots 341 and 343 change the positl of the arms 343 and 344 so that the bar 355 d lateral guides 356 and 351 are tilted into aline ent with a front feed guide table 353, which o ends the width of the platen 44 and is secured to he platen frame end plates 32 and 33. Adjustab y mounted on the table 353 are rear lateral des 353 (Figs. 6 and 9) the lateral locations of which may be shifted to conform to the locatins of the front guides 356 and 351.

When the platen 44 is in open-thro t position as shown in Fig. 9, the top edge of the ar 355 is so positioned, in relation to the printin line, that it serves as a line finding device for 10 ting the ledger sheet in relation to the printing line.

It will be recalled that when the p ten is in front feeding position the pressure ollers 16 (Fig. 9) are disengaged therefrom, threby permitting ledger sheets to be inserted ithln the lateral guides 356 and 351 and simply pushed around the platen 44, guided by the front feed table 356 until the proper edge of the bar 355 is in alinement with the bottom of the last row of printing upon said ledger sheet. This locates the ledger sheet in relation to the printing mechanism, so that when the throat of the front feed platen is closed, the space just below the printing on said ledger sheet will be in alinement with the type carriers.

The line-spacing of the platen or the printing of a large number of numerals at one time, have a tendency to rock the platen slightly out of printing position. To overcome this tendency a spring-pulled restraining pawl 366 (Figs. 8 and 11) pivoted on the bracket 342, is provided, which in cooperation with the roller 346 creates sufllcient resistance to hold the platen 44 and its carrying frame in printing position under the above conditions.

Auxiliary starting bar At times it is desirable to have the throat of the front feed carriage open without depressing any of the control keys or the overdraft or suboverdraft keys, and to this end an auxiliary starting bar has been provided, depression of which renders the throat-opening mechanism effective and simultaneously sets the machine in motion, this latter being necessary to actuate the automatic throat-opening mechanism. It will also be recalled that when the traveling carriage is out of columnar position the machine releasing mechanism is locked against operation and moving the traveling carriage into columnar position renders this look ineffective. Depressing the auxiliary starting bar also renders the above locking means, for the machine releasing means, ineffective making it possible to operate the machine and the automatic throat-opening mechanism irrespective of the columnar position of the traveling carriage. The auxiliary starting bar and associated mechanism will now be described.

Calling attention to Figs. 2, 3 and 12, an auxiliary starting bar 361 is mounted adjacent the suboverdraft key 264 and the lower end of said bar is pivotally connected to a bar 362 slidably mounted by means of parallel slots therein, in cooperation with studs 363 and 364 in a plate 365 secured to the frame I05 by means of various studs and screws. A spring 366 (Fig. 12) tensioned between the stationary stud 363 and the bar 362 urges said bar and the auxiliary starting bar 36I upwardly to undepressed position, which is determined by the slot in the upper end of the bar 362 in cooperation with the stud 363.

Depressing the auxiliary starting bar 36l (Figs. 2 and 16) through the medium of a stud 361 therein, in cooperation with an arm 368 secured on the shaft I11 rocks said shaft and the lever I16 counter-clockwise, causing the stud l13 to rock thelatch f 42 out of engagement with the stud I44, to permit the notch I22 in the link I23 to be engaged by the stud l2l upon subsequent operation of the machine.

Depressing the auxiliary starting bar 36l (Figs. 2 and 14) causes an extension 316 thereon, in cooperation with a stud 3" in an arm 312 of the locking plate 24I, to rock said locking plate clockwise against the action of the spring 242 to move the shoulder 244 out of the path of the :tud 245 to free the plate I29 for releasing movement. The arm 312 of the plate 24l is similar in contour to the arm which carries the stud 246 (Fig. 14) and which it will be remembered, is connected by the associated mechanism, here shown, to stops mounted on the traveling carriage, which rock the locking plate 24I to ineflective position when the traveling carriage is in predetermined columnar positions.

In addition to rendering the automatic throatopening mechanism eiTective and unlocking the release plate I29, depressing the auxiliary bar 38I also sets the machine in motion to cause the shaft II9 (Fig. 16) to actuate the throat-opening mechanism in the manner explained previously.

Depressing the auxiliary starting bar 36I (Fig. 12) carries the bar 362 downwardly in unison therewith to move a notch 313, in said bar, opposite a bent-over ear 314 on a bell crank 315 fulcrumed on the stud 364 thereby permitting a spring 313 to rock said bell crank clockwise, to engage said ear with said notch. Clockwise movement of the bell crank 318 causes a stud 311 therein, in cooperation with an extension of a multi-armed lever 313 free on the shaft I33, to rock said lever counter-clockwise against the action of a spring 319. Counter-clockwise movement of the lever 318, (Figs. 12 and 13) causes an arm 30 thereof, in cooperation with an extension 38I of a link 382, to shift said link upwardly. The lower end of the link 382 is connected to an arm of a yoke 383 free on a rod 384 supported by a yoke 385 loose on a rod 388 supported by a bracket 389 secured to the base 34, and the upper ,end of said link 382 (Fig. 1) is pivoted to a lever 386, fulcrumed on a stud 301 in the case 3I.

An arm 390 (Figs. 12 and 13) of the yoke 383 is pivotally connected, by a toggle link 93l, to a cam lever 392, having a cam slot 393 which cooperates with a roller 394 mounted on the motor framework II4. A strong spring 395 normally maintains a raised surface of the link 3! in contact with an extension of the arm 390.

Upward movement of the link 383, which is effected as explained above, by depressing the auxiliary starting bar 36I, rocks the yoke 383 counter-clockwise on its pivot rod 384, the yoke 385 being restrained against moving in unison with said yoke 383 by a spring 396, which normally maintains the rod 384 in contact with an extension 391 of the bracket 389. Counterclockwise movement of the yoke 383 shifts the lever 392 upwardly, causing the cam slot 393, in cooperation with the roller 394, to move a roller 398, mounted on the lower end of said lever 392, into the path of a cam block 399 secured to the clutch driving member II3, which it will be recalled is geared to the constantly running electric motor I01.

During revolution of the driivng member N3, the segment 399 engages the roller 398 and rocks the lever 392 clockwise, the roller 394, in cooperation with the slot 393, serving as a fulcrum for said lever. As the spring 395 is sufficiently strong to overcome the action of the spring 398, clockwise movement of the lever 392 shifts the yoke 383 rearwarc'ny to rock the yoke 385 counterclockwise, which movement, by means of a. link 400, the lower end of which is pivoted to an extension of the yoke 385 and the upper end of which is slotted to receive a stud "I in an and 402, secured on a shaft 403, journalled in the frames I05 and I06, rocks said arm 402 clockwise. The upper end of the arm 402 is bifurcated to receive a stud 405 in the plate I29 said stud 405 also forming an anchor for one end of the spring I4I. Consequently clockwise movement of the arm 402 rocks the plate I29 counter-clockwise to release the machine for operation in the manner explained in connection with Fig. 2.

In case the plate I29 (Fig. 12) is held against counter-clockwise releasing movement, for example, when the lock lever 243 (Fig. 14) is rendered eil'ective, either by the Journal sheet being exhausted or by the platen being in front feeding position, the flexible connection formed by the toggle link 39I and the spring 395 permits the lever 392 to move independently of the yokes 383 and 385 when the cam segment 399 contacts the roller 398, thereby preventing injury to the parts comprising this mechanism. When the machine is set in motion by means other than the auxiliary starting bar 38I, counter-clockwise releasing movement of the plate I29 causes the stud 40I to move idly in the slot in the upper end of the link 400, without imparting any movement to said link and its associated parts.

The auxiliary starting bar 38I (Fig. 12) is retained in depressed position during machine operations by the ear 314 of the bell crank 315, in cooperation with the notch 313. Initial movement counter-clockwise of the main shaft I09 causes a stud 408 in a bell crank 401, secured to said shaft to by-pass a spring-pulled shoe 403,

. pivotally connected to an arm of the lever 319.

Return movement clockwise of the shaft I09 causes the stud 406 in cooperation with the sole of the shoe 408 to rock the lever 318 clockwise, which movement by means of an extension thereof, in cooperation with the stud 311 rocks the bell crank 315 counter-clockwise to disengage the ear 314 from the notch 313 to permit the spring 368 to return the auxiliary starting bar 36I upwardly to undepressed position. When the stud 406 moves beyond the shoe 400 the ear 314 comes to rest on the edge of the bar 362.

Novel non-repeat mechanism has been provided for preventing repeat operations of the machine when the auxiliary starting bar 3,6I is accidentally or inadvertently retained depressed at the end of machine operations.

The non-repeat mechanism includes an arm 409 pivoted at 424 to the plate 365 and urged clockwise by a spring 4I0 into contact with a stop stud 4 I I, which positions an abutment 404 of said arm in the path of the bent-over ear 314 of the bell crank 315. Pivoted on the bar 362 is an arm 4I2 urged clockwise by a spring 3, to normally cause a bump thereon to resiliently obstruct the notch 313 from entrance of the car 314, and to maintain a bent-over ear 4 thereof in engagement with a notch 4l5 in the arm 409.

Depressing the auxiliary starting bar 38I, and incidental downward movement of the bar 362, causes the ear 4" to engage the bottom of the slot 5 to rock the lever 409 counter-clockwise out of the path of the ear 314. When the notch 313 moves opposite the ear 314 clockwise movement of the bell crank 315, under influence of the spring 316, causes said ear to rock the arm 4I2 counter-clockwise to disengage the ear 4 from the slot 415 to release the arm 409 to the action of the spring "0, which tends to return said arm 409 in a clockwise direction, but is prevented from doing so by the ear 314 which overlies the abutment 404.

If the bar 301 is retained depressed at the end of machine operation, return movement counterclockwise of the bell crank 315 removes the ear 314 from the notch 313 and from above the surface 404 to permit the arm 409 to be spring-returned into the path of said ear 314 to obstruct clockwise movement of the bell crank 315, under influence of the spring 316, thereby preventing a repeat operation of the machine. The contour of the top of the surface 404 is such that the arm "9 moves upwardly sufficiently to prevent the ear 4 from moving into the slot l5, thereby making it necessary to release the auxiliary starting bar 361 to engage the ear III with the slot 5 before the machine can again be operated. A similar nonrepeat mechanism is provided for the vertical feed starting bar 28L Camming lugs on stops 6, only one here shown, (Fig. 1) located in predetermined columnar positions on the bar 230, in cooperation with an upturned projection 1 of the lever 38B, rock said lever counter-clockwise when the traveling carriage is tabulated to said predetermined columnar positions to lift the link 382 (see also Fig. 12) to cause the machine to operate automatically in exactly the same manner as when the auxiliary starting bar 3Gl is depressed. However, this mechanism does not disengage the latch I42 (Fig. 16) and consequently the automatic throat opening mechanism remains inoperative when the machine is thus operated.

Operatic n It is believed that an understanding of the mode of operation of the present machine will have been obtained from a perusal of the foregoing specification, however, it is felt that a brief outline of the sequence of operation will not be amiss at this time.

First the auxiliary pressure rollers 24'! (Figs. 7 and 15) are manually swung clear of the platen roll 44 and the journal sheet 245 and its superimposed carbon paper are inserted at the back of the platen and guided by the table 36 are wound around the platen roll until the upper end thereof passes beyond the auxiliary pressure rollers 241, after which said auxiliary pressure rollars are returned to effective positions, as shown in Fig. 15. Inserting the journal sheet in the machine moves the feelers 248 from the dot and dash position, shown in Fig. 15, to the full line position, which movement, by means of the mechanism pictured in Fig. 14, moves the latch lever 243 to ineffective position. As previously stated, the journal sheet is long enough to receive all the entries for a certain business period; for example, one day.

Next the operating motor is switched on, and runs continuously while the machine is in use. If the front feed throat isnt open the operator depresses the auxiliary starting bar 3N (Fig. 2) to open said throat. Next the first ledger sheet 8 (Fig. 1) is removed from a conveniently located stack, inserted within the open-throat and adjusted in relation to the printing line by means of the line-finding device, after which the throat is closed by depressing the bar Hill (Fig. 6)

With the traveling carriage in its extreme righthand or starting position the old balance of this particular customer is ascertained from the last entry in the right-hand column of the ledger sheet, set up on the amount keys, after which an operation of the machine is initiated by depressing the starting bar I28. During operation of the machine the old balance is printed in the first column of the ledger sheet and simultaneously added into the previously cleared balance totalizer, and if desired may be simultaneously added in one or more of the adding totalizers. After this operation the traveling carriage tabulates automatically to the credit column. Next the first charge or debit item is set up on the keyboard, and upon operation of the machine is printed in the debit column and simultaneously subtracted from the old balance, contained in the balance totalizer. If more than one debit item is to be entered in the debit column the vertical feed starting bar 2M (Fig. 2) is used to initiate operation of the machine. This prevents tabulation of the traveling carriage and causes the platen roll to be rotated to line-spacethe ledger and journal sheets. By using the vertical starting bar, as many debit items as desired may be entered, one under the other, in the debit column. If there is only one debit item or when the last debit item is being entered in the debit column, the starting bar I28 is used to initiate operation of the machine to cause the traveling carriage to tabulate automatically to the credit column on the ledger sheet 8.

Next the first credit item is set up on the keyboard, and upon operation of the machine this item is printed upon the ledger and journal sheets and simultaneously added to the amount contained in the balance totalizer. If there is more than one credit item, the vertical starting bar "I is used in exactly the same manner as explained for a plurality of debit items. After all the credit items have been entered, the traveling carriage automatically tabulates to the balance column of the ledger sheet.

The No. 1 total or balance key I41 (Fig. 3) is then depressed to select and condition the balance totalizer for a clearing operation and the machine is released for operation by depressing the starting bar I28. During operation of the machine, the #1 or balance totalizer is cleared and the new balance is simultaneously printed in the balance column of the ledger sheet 8 and upon the journal sheet. Depressing the #1 total key renders the mechanism shown in Figs. 3 and 16 effective to cause the throat of the front feed platen to open automatically at the end of a balance operation so that the ledger sheet may be removed and a new ledger sheet inserted in the open-throat. At the end of balance operations the traveling carriage tabulates automatically a slight distance beyond the balance column to render the automatic return mechanism effec-' tive, which immediately returns said carriage to starting position.

If the balance totalizer is in an overdrawn condition after the debit and credit items have been entered therein, the operator is notified of this fact by the locking of the No 1 total key against depression and the same mechanism that locks the No. 1 total key unlocks the overdraft and sub-overdraft keys I19 and 204. If no further computation is necessary in this particular account, the operator depresses the overdraft key l'lfl, which conditions and initiates an overdraft operation during which the complementary amount of the overdraft is transposed to a true negative amount and printed upon the ledger and the journal sheets.

In the mode of operation being described, there is no necessity for further computations in connection with an overdrawn account; however, in systems requiring further computation in connection with overdrawn accounts, depressing the sub-overdraft key 204 initiates a sub-overdraft operation during which the complementary amount of the overdraft is transposed to a true negative amount and printed upon the ledger and journal sheets and the complementary amount of the overdraft is reentered in the balance totalizer in preparation for further computations in connection with this particular account.

The machine embodying the instant invention is very flexible in nature, and for that reason is adaptable for use in connection with the various systems employed by the majority of presentday business establishments. Therefore it is not the intention or desire to limit this machine to any particular business or to any particular business system.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form or embodiment herein disclosed, for it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a. machine of the class described, the combination of a traveling carriage having a rockable platen adapted to be rocked from working position to open-throat position for the in-- sertion and removal of record material; main operating means; normally ineffective means operated by the main operating means while the carriage remains stationary to rock the platen to open-throat position; devices to control operations of the machine; and means under the sole control of the control devices to render the rocking means effective to cause the throat to open.

2. In a front feed machine of the class described, the combination of a traveling carriage; a rockable platen supported by the traveling carriage; said platen adapted to be rocked from printing position to front feeding position for the removal and insertion of record material; means to rock the platen to front feeding position; means to operate the rocking means; manipulative devices to condition the machine for various operations; and means rendered effective solely under control of the manipulative devices to connect the rocking means to its operating means to cause the platen to be rocked to front feeding position.

3. In a front-feed machine of the character described, the combination with a traveling carriage and a platen supported by the traveling carriage, said platen movable from printing position to open-throat position to facilitate the removal and insertion of record material, of means to move the platen to open-throat position: means to operate the moving means; means to connect the operating means to the moving means; control devices for the machine to determine the type of operation to be performed: and means settable by the control devices to selectively render the connecting means effective to cause the platen to be moved to openthroat position during certain types of machine operations regardless of the position of the carriage.

4. In a front-feed machine of the class de-- scribed, the combination with a traveling carriage and a platen supported by the traveling carriage, said platen movable from printing position to a more accessible position to facilitate the removal and insertion of record material, of means to move the platen to its more accessible position; means to operate the moving means; means to connect the moving means to the operating means; means to retain the connecting means in ineffective position; machine control devices; and means differentially settable by the control devices for rendering the retaining means ineffective to cause the platen to be moved to its more accessible position during a machine operation when certain of the machine control devices are actuated.

5. In a front-feed machine of the class described, the combination with a traveling carriage, a rockable platen carrying frame supported by said traveling carriage, and a main operating mechanism, of means, normally disconnected from said main operating mechanism but adapted to be operated thereby during a regular cycle thereof, for rocking the platen frame from a normal position to a front feeding position to facilitate the removal and insertion of record material; machine control devices; and means rendered effective by the machine control devices to connect the rocking means to the main operating mechanism to cause the platen frame to be rocked to front feeding position during an operation of the machine in which certain of the machine control devices are in operated position.

6. In a front feed machine of the character described, having a traveling carriage, comprising a portion movable from a normal position to a more accessible position to permit ready removal and insertion of record material, the combination of a main operating mechanism; a member adapated to be given a definite movement by said main operating mechanism during each operation of the machine; a contrivance connected to the carriage and yieidingly urged into engagement with the member; means to hold the contrivance out of engagement with the member; a plurality of elements for controlling operation of the machine, and means controlled by said elements to render the holding means ineffective to permit the contrivance to engage the member to cause the movable portion of the carriage to be moved to its more accessible position.

7. In a front feed machine of the class described, the combination with operating mechanism for the machine, a traveling carriage and a rockable platen supported by said carriage, said platen normally in printing position but adapted to be moved to a more accessible position to facilitate the removal and insertion of record material, of a member adapted to be given a definite cycle of movement upon each operation of the operating mechanism, platen rocking means adapted to be operated by the member, said platen rocking means comprising an element engageable with the member; means to hold the element out of engagement with the member; manipulative devices to control operation of the machine; and means rendered effective by the manipulative devices to move the holding means to ineffective position to permit the element to engage the member, whereupon operation of the machine causes the platen to be rocked to its more accessible position.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of record material supporting means, including a rockable platen; means to rock the platen from working position to a more accessible position for the removal and insertion of record material; means to operate the rocking means; normally ineflective means to connect the operating means to the rocking means; and means independent of the record material supporting means to render the connecting means effective to cause the platen to be rocked to its more accessible position.

9. In a machine of the character described, the combination of record material supporting meansfincluding a rockable platen; means to 

